This is truly one of the best radio programs on WWII that I have listened to. Not only does it focus on the pilots and their missions, it deals with their personal lives and with the amazing group of scientists who invented the tools needed to win the war. This is a must hear.

"Never was so much owed by so many to so few"

Thanks a ton for the files!

Great stuff here well worth a listen!

Many thanks for this - It is very well done, and I am enjoying it immensely, except that #18 has an incomplete file. Can the uploader fix this for us?

This series on the famous No. 617 "Dambusters" Squadron is superb. The writing, production values, acting and clarity are all top notch.The series is the true story of the squadron, coupled with the story of inventor, aircraft designer and scientist Barnes Wallis. If you think you know the story from the famous film of the same vinatge, this series will enlighten you a lot further. Only the first half a dozen episodes cover the development of the bouncing bomb and the famous Dams Raid when the squadron destroyed three dams in the Ruhr Valley in May 1943. The rest of the series is a continuation on from there, the many more dangerous and highly technical raids that this very special squadron undertook, and the stories of the men who flew in the squadron. Some very famous men are dramatised in the series, Barnes Wallis, Guy Gibson VC (played by Charles 'Bud' Tingwell), Leonard Cheshire VC, Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris, Sir Ralph Cochrane, Micky Martin, Joe McCarthy, Davey Shannon (played by Rod Taylor) and Les Munro.

Apparently Australasian Radio did dsome other adaptations of Paul Brickhill's books, like The Great Escape and Reach For the Sky. I'd love to hear them too now.

I rate this very highly, an excellent series that everyone should hear, especially young kids who have no idea what these brave men did in the war.

I discovered that the cast is mentioned at the end of the final episode. For those interested they are:
Barnes Wallis = James Mills
Ralph Cochrane = David Butler
Guy Gibson VC = Charles 'Bud' Tingwell
Leonard Cheshire VC = Alan Trevor
James Tait = Barry Cookson
Micky Martin = Max Osbasten
Dave Shannon = Rodney Taylor
Arthur Harris = Maurie Powell
Joe McCarthy = Harp Maguire
Ann Shannon = Coralie Neville
Plus:
David Eady
Alexander Archdale
John Ewart
John Mallion
Richard Davies
Joe McCormick
Len Bullen
Don Crosby
Lionel Stephens
Gordon Chater

This radio drama is almost 60 years old but in terms of production technique, adaptation, and drama direction it could easily stand on its own today.

Paul Brickhill's account of the famous dam busters' raid was a monumental best seller in the fifties and sixties.

This radio drama was adapted by Morris West, himself a widely successful author. Together with a pretty good cast and Brickhill's direct involvement, the production makes for excellent listening.

I have only sampled bits and pieces from the series so far but the quality is consistent. As far as audio quality goes I can only say that I am very impressed with how clean it is.

So far I've only listened to the first episode and it's like listening to paint dry. Sound quality is decent and I'm sure my boredom in the story line is that I generally dislike war related stories.

So my review is for the quality and efforts of the uploader, which deserves 5 stars.